The Young Parents’ Programme successfully held its first-ever summer session, which was attended by six mothers and five babies.
Romeo, Toni and baby Serita. |
‘The summer classes were introduced as a result of the identified need, especially from the 23 recent graduates of YPP’s 2006-07 school year,’ YPP Programme Coordinator Brenda Dawkins Commenting said of the three-week pilot effort.
‘We realised that some of these girls were still unoccupied and unemployed several weeks after graduation. It was therefore decided to run a summer course, especially to provide advanced computer skills – which is an area we’ve wanted to cover for a long time.’
Adding that the overall response has been pleasing, Ms Dawkins noted, ‘The response of the students was great, and they were intrigued because they were learning something new. While these young parents are facing up to their responsibilities, many are still in need of assistance in making the transition to the working world.’
The summer training involved a mix of agencies and private-sector contributors. The course targeted three areas: motivational talks conducted by Employment Relations Officer/Trainer Jean Solomon and volunteer Michelle Newell; business writing and computer applications, including basic business plans, by volunteer Ellio Solomon; and the finer points of parenting were shared by Selena Dyke and Hylton Grace of the National Parenting Programme.
Meanwhile, the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre again assisted YPP by working to help break the cycle of teen pregnancy and, in cases over the years, abuse.
In addition to the educational aspects, the development of the students’ interpersonal and communication skills were areas of focus. To enhance the students’ expression, NPP used drama.
Year-round programming
YPP’s year-round programme is now entering its 13th year; it has helped more than 200 young parents – mostly mothers – during that time. Some of the services provided by YPP staff, which includes matrons, teachers and volunteers, are medical care; counselling; education; and childcare guidance and support.
Ms Dawkins noted that the programme does not coddle teenagers, but instead provides necessary intervention. A positive, enabling attitude towards the participants is displayed by those involved, from the top down, she said.
As a show of support, Department of Children and Family Services Director Deanna Look Loy attended the closing ceremony. YPP falls under DCFS, and Mrs. Look Loy has been professionally and personally supportive, Ms Dawkins said.
Commending the summer session graduates, as well as the YPP staff and supporters, Mrs. Look Loy said, ‘I continue to be impressed at YPP staff’s high level of interest in these young ladies; the care taken of the babies and toddlers, and at how well they are socialized. The girls have also demonstrated how much they have benefited from the skills imparted by the staff and visiting professionals who made the summer programme a success.’
She appealed for the continued support of the wider community in protecting children from pregnancy and abuse, and in generally improving the lives of teens and families throughout the Cayman Islands.
YPP students closed the summer classes by cooking dinner for the teachers and guests, including Mrs Look Loy. The informal ceremony featured motivational talks, a demonstration from the programme’s business students, a dance performance, and recitals of Caribbean literature.
Young parents appreciate support
Young George Town couple Romeo and Toni know full-well the challenges of young love, and the modern realities of being teenage parents.
This young couple- and their new baby daughter, Serita – recently benefited from the Young Parent Programme’s 2006-07 school year, as well as its summer training programme.
As a new mother, Toni thanked the YPP staff and supporters for ‘helping me to cope, and providing everything I needed to get through this phase of my life.’
Outlining other educational efforts, Toni said she recently completed her high school exams, and graduated this year. She hopes to pursue a career in law or information technology.
Her interest and cooperation in the YPP’s initiatives earned her a University College of the Cayman Islands scholarship for a two-year legal secretary course.
The support of Romeo, the baby’s father, has also been an important factor. Not the typical absentee father, the young man is facing his new responsibilities.
‘I would not encourage my friends to have a child at a young age,’ he stated. Romeo is employed, and has participated in YPP classes – so much so that he was chosen as the YPP’s 2007 Father of the Year.
Indicating a promising direction of increased male involvement at the YPP, another young father also attended the YPP this year.
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